Work
How to get the right to work, find a job or free training and get hired. We also explain what the law guarantees you, where to complain if you are not paid or are treated unfairly, and what to do with a degree from another country.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
QARAVAN does not provide legal services and cannot decide for you how to act in your case, but can help you find a free lawyer.
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- You cannot work legally without an EAD (Employment Authorization Document, the work permit) or a status that allows it. You can apply for an EAD 150 days after filing for asylum.
- If you were not paid, file a free complaint with the New York State Department of Labor: you can upload the form on its website. The law forbids punishing you for it.
- Never pay for a job, a “rush” work permit or a “guaranteed” placement: that is how scammers operate.
- 1Your work permit (EAD) and Social Security number
- 2Getting hired: Form I-9, E-Verify and what an employer may ask
- 3How to find a job: free centers, training and your résumé
- 4Pay, overtime and sick time: what you are owed
- 5If you are not paid, are hurt at work or lose your job
- 6Discrimination and harassment at work, including for LGBTQ+ and trans workers
- 7Job scams and fake helpers
- 8Your degree and profession from another country: credential evaluation and licenses
- 9Working for yourself: freelancing, taxes, ITIN and street vending
Sources, checked November 2026
- uscis.gov/i-765
- uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/asylum
- federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/23/2026-03595/employment…
- uscis.gov/g-1055
- uscis.gov/i-912
- federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20187/fiscal-yea…
- uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-fees-based-on-hr-1
- uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/2…
- federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20955/removal-of…
- content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCIS/bulletins/3f927da
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/moia-immigration-legal…
- ssa.gov/ssnvisa/ebe.html
- ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time
- oig.ssa.gov/scam-alerts/2026-03-10-ssa-provides-new-and-replac…
- nyc.gov/employment/programs/workforce1
- nyc.gov/site/sbs/careers/wf1-career-centers.page
- nyc.gov/site/sbs/careers/training-grants.page
- nypl.org/education/adults/career-services
- nypl.org/blog/2025/12/15/drop-in-career-support-appointments-e…
- emmastorch.org/apply
- selfhelp.net/home-care-training
- dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-0
- dol.ny.gov/labor-standards-asylum-seekers-p335
- dol.ny.gov/labor-standards-asylum-seekers-p335r-russian
- dol.ny.gov/wage-theft-hub
- dol.ny.gov/location/contact-division-labor-standards
- nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/workers/WorkersBillOfRights-E…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/know-your-worker-rights…
- nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/about/PaidSafeSickLeave-Manda…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/about/paid-sick-leave-law.page
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/delivery-worker-rights-…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/news/009-26/major-victory-nyc-
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/index.page
- naces.org/members
- ece.org/ECE/ECE-Aid
- op.nysed.gov/professions
- op.nysed.gov/how-contact-us
- upwardlyglobal.org/free-expert-coaching
- cooper.edu/continuing-education/retraining-program-immigrant-e…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/shopping-services-employment-englis…
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/job-offer-text-probab…
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/how-avoid-work-home-j…
- reportfraud.ftc.gov
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-immigration-serv…
- justice.gov/media/989441/dl?inline
- justice.gov/media/989446/dl?inline
- uscis.gov/i-9-central/acceptable-documents
- uscis.gov/i-9-central/completing-form-i-9/completing-section-1…
- uscis.gov/i-9-central/completing-form-i-9/completing-section-2…
- e-verify.gov/faq/what-does-it-mean-if-my-employee-receives-a-t…
- dol.ny.gov/salary-historypay-equity
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/fair-chance-act.page
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/job-hunters.page
- eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination
- eeoc.gov/time-limits-filing-charge
- eeoc.gov/sex-based-discrimination
- eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-commission-votes-rescind-2024-harassmen…
- dhr.ny.gov/report
- dhr.ny.gov/protected-characteristics
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/enforcement/complaint-process.page
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/legal-guidances-gender-identity-expressi…
- lambdalegal.org/help
- dol.ny.gov/file-labor-standards-wage-theft-claim
- dol.ny.gov/unpaidwithheld-wages-and-wage-supplements
- dol.ny.gov/what-expect-labor-standards-wage-claim-investigation
- dol.ny.gov/retaliation
- dol.ny.gov/wage-theft-small-claims-court-information
- dol.ny.gov/wages-and-hours-frequently-asked-questions
- dol.ny.gov/day-rest-and-meal-periods
- dol.ny.gov/getpaid
- dol.ny.gov/frequency-pay
- dol.ny.gov/notice-pay-rate
- dol.ny.gov/notices-employees
- dol.ny.gov/new-american-resources-and-self-service-tools
- dol.ny.gov/unemployment-claimant-benefit-process-0
- wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Workers/injured-workers-toolkit.jsp
- osha.gov/workers/file-complaint
- workersjustice.org
- maketheroadny.org/issue/workplace-justice
- abetterbalance.org/get-help
- nycosh.org
- humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/labor-traffic…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/file-workplace-complain…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/paid-sick-leave-law-for…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/Delivery-Workers.page
- nyc.gov/site/dca/workers/workersrights/freelancer-workers.page
- careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Resumes/resumes.aspx
- perscholas.org/apply
- hotbreadkitchen.org
- npower.org
- sunybeoc.org
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/08/how-spot-avoid-task-s…
- op.nysed.gov/about/general-information-policies
- op.nysed.gov/professions/registered-professional-nursing/licen…
- cgfns.org
- irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employm…
- irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-ta…
- irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-7
- irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/businesses/faq-general-vendor-licenses.page
- nyc.gov/site/dca/businesses/street-vendors.page
- nyc.gov/site/doh/business/food-operators/mobile-and-temporary-…
- uiappeals.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/05/part-2-chapter…
- dol.ny.gov/am-i-eligible-ui-benefits
- ny.gov/new-york-paid-sick-leave/new-york-paid-sick-leave
- dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-tipped-workers
- dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/12/p105-home-health-aid…
- uscis.gov/i-589
- justice.gov/crt/filing-charge
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page
- webapps.dhr.ny.gov/discrimination-report
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/check-license.page
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page
- portal.311.nyc.gov/about-nyc-311
- wcb.ny.gov/content/main/TheBoard/Translations/language-access-…
- ssa.gov/ssnumber/request_number_for_first_time.html
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/English-IAH.pdf
- humantraffickinghotline.org/en/contact
- dos.ny.gov/news/new-york-state-office-new-americans-announces-…
- nycosh.org/contact
- uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-765instr.pdf
- manifestlaw.com/news/uscis-phases-out-older-form-i765
- uscis.gov/i-765
- uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf
- e-verify.gov/e-verify-user-manual-30-case-results-33-tentative…
- legalservicesnyc.org/get-help-with-a-legal-issue
- legalservicesnyc.org/resources/workers-rights
- uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9.pdf
- uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-k-chapter-2
- irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employm…